Member Recognition and Awards

 

2023


Sustainer Emeritus Recognition: None
President’s Award recipients:
Karen Belcher
Legacy Award: Marti Derow
Sustainer Impact Award recipients: Becky Antonucci & Joni Utnage
Spirit of the League Award recipient: Jen Dooley
Active of the Year Award recipient: Courtney Butts
Rising Star Award recipient: Morgan Decker

Sustainer Project: Showering Pathways to Opportunities
Continuing Projects: Pine Manor annual Halloween night & dinner and teddy bear drive. Reading festival & Juneteenth
Fundraisers: Give Back Night at Lilly Pulitzer. Amazon & Minted Give Back.

2022


Sustainer Emeritus Recognition: Sharen Anderson & Diane Metz
President’s Award recipients:
Nicole Brenner & Marti Derow
Legacy Award – Anita Duenas
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: Becky Antonucci
Spirit of the League Award recipients: Karen Belcher, Shavon Chester, Sandy Greenberg, Nan Miller, Sandra Raak, Holly Rousseau and Sharon Tolnai
Sustainer Project: Hosted a “Period supply Party” to benefit Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL. Sustainers collected and donated 5,291 Pads & Liners plus 5,445 tampons that went to assist 447 women!  The largest donation every received to date by an organization.
Continuing Projects: Calming Caddies for local school and participate in the Pine Manor annual dinner and teddy bear drive.
New Project: an extension of our Calming Caddies to benefit our local Florida Highway Patrol with Calming Boxes for their patrols cars.
Fundraisers: hosted a Women’s Conference in the Fall and fourth annual Brew Bash fundraiser in the spring.

2021

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President’s Award recipient:
Sandra Raak, Kathleen Williamson and Shamie Kelly
Sustainer Impact Award recipient
: Janet Schappell
Sustainer Emeritus Recognition: Shirley Furry, Susan Kyle, Mary Lee Mann and Jeannie White
Sustainer Project: Ronald McDonald virtual Kitchen Shower event.  Donated nearly $3.5K worth of kitchen essential items.
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2020

President’s Award recipient: Karen Belcher
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: JLFM Past President Myra Walters
Outstanding Service Award recipients: Marti Derow, Laura Schueneman, Alex Edwards, Meghan Warner, Bridgette Ferrier, Starr Curry, Anne Hanson and Deanne Kyle
Community: New Focus – Women & Children’s Mental Health vote in May
Fundraising:  Sunset out largest fundraiser Taste of the Town
Instituted: Small Leagues, Fast Track Renewal Plan
Service Learning Events: Children’s Mental Health, Human Trafficking and Water Quality.

2019



President’s Award recipient
: Pam Dorchak
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: Susan Moore
Outstanding Service Award recipients:
Fundraiser: Last year for Taste of the Town at Alliance for the Arts


2018

President’s Award recipient: Jessica Steinberg
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: Sustainer Council
Outstanding Service Award recipients:
Rising Star recipients:
Continuing Projects: WISH, Helping Hands, Kids in the Kitchen – Nutrition Initiative and Literacy Outreach (name changed from Literacy Buddies)
Fundraiser: Taste of the Town at Alliance for the Arts
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2017

President’s Award recipient: Elyse Joyce
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: Carolyn Gora
Outstanding Service Award recipients:
Jennifer Dooley, Lily Muia, Megan McCarter
Rising Star recipients: Erin Cowan, Kaye Kinsey, Audra Thomas-Eth
Continuing Projects: WISH, Helping Hands, Kids in the Kitchen – Nutrition Initiative and R&D/mini grants and Literacy Outreach (name changed from Literacy Buddies)
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2016

President’s Award recipient: Holly Rousseau
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: JLFM Past President Susan Kyle
Outstanding Service Award recipients:
Carly Leotti, Shamie Kelly, Marti Derow
Rising Star recipients: Mandy Carter, Jacqui Alguadich, April Voellmecke
Continuing Projects: WISH, Helping Hands, Kids in the Kitchen – Nutrition Initiative and R&D/mini grants and Literacy Outreach (name changed from Literacy Buddies)
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2015

President’s Award recipient: Shavon Chester
Sustainer Award recipient: JLFM Past President Sandra Raak
Outstanding Service Award recipients:
Leah Armstrong, Carol Feskanin, Alex Hamley, Amelia May and Jessica Steinberg
Rising Star recipients: Diane Synder and Kerry Pirrone
Continuing Projects: WISH, Helping Hands, Kids in the Kitchen – Nutrition Initiative and R&D/mini grants and Literacy Outreach (name changed from Literacy Buddies)

2014

President’s Award recipient: Erin Martin
Sustainer Award recipient: JLFM Past President Lisa Muench
Outstanding Service Award recipients:
Bethany Anderson, Veronica Bynum, Carrie Pollock, Molly Caldaro and Kristianna Rodriguez
Rising Star recipients: Amelia May and Jenine Kent
Voted in: New Membership points system
Continuing Projects: WISH, Helping Hands, Kids in the Kitchen – Nutrition Initiative and R&D/mini grants
New Project vote in: Literacy Buddies
1st Year for Taste of the Town at JetBlue Park

2013

President’s Award recipient: Danielle Lucht
Sustainer Award recipient: Pam Dorchak
Sustainer Emeritus Recognition: Sam Arnall
Finance Council Super Star recipients:
Veronica Gude and Stacy McLaughlin
Membership Council Super Star recipients:
Erin Martin and Bethany Anderson
Community Council Super Star recipients:
Leah Armstrong and Holly Rousseau
Communications Council Super Star recipients:
Shamie Kelly and Jackie Drake
Rising Star recipients: Shavon Chester and Magdalena Battles

Continuing Projects
: WISH, Helping Hands, Kids in the Kitchen – Nutrition Initiative and R&D/mini grants
Mini-grant recipients – totaling $18,900
$3K each (Partners in Breast Cancer, Human Trafficking Awareness Partnerships, INC, SIYA (Supporting Independent Young Adults);
$2K – PACE, $1.5K SWFL Addiction Services, $1.4K Heights Foundation, $1.2K – Dress for Success, $1K each (Quality Life Center & Children’s Network of SWFL), $858 – CARES (Community Awareness in Recognizing and Educating on Suicide), $500 – Early Learning Coalition of SWFL and $450 – Varsity Lakes Middle School
Decided to move signature fundraiser – Taste of the Town from Downtown Fort Myers to JetBlue park next year!

2012

President’s Award recipient: JLFM Past President Shirley Snyder-McLaren
Sustainer Award recipient: Jeannie Dozier
Finance Council Super Star recipients:
Shamie Kelly and JoAnn Landry
Membership Council Super Star recipients:
Holly Rousseau and Kristen Current
Community Council Super Star recipients:
Kelly Welborn and Jessica Natali
Communications Council Super Star recipients:
Claudia Volk and Stefanie Capps
Rising Star recipients: Stefanie Watson and Helen Lundy
Continuing Projects: WISH, Helping Hands, Kids in the Kitchen – Nutrition Initiative and R&D/mini grants

2011

President’s Award recipient: Danielle Emery
Sustainer Award recipient: Kim Keates Hunt
Other Award winners:
Continuing Projects: WISH, Helping Hands, Kids in the Kitchen, R&D/mini grants and Backpacks & Food

2010

President’s Award recipient: Carole Ezell Bishop
Sustainer Award recipient: Ann Arnall
Continuing Projects: WISH, Helping Hands, Kids in the Kitchen, R&D/mini grants and Backpacks & Food
Vote in a Membership Dues increase – $130 actives/provisionals ($10 increase from $120) and $75 sustainers ($5 increase from $70).  Last dues increase was 2000-2001 League year.

2009

President’s Award recipient: Jennifer Wormser
Sustainer Award recipient: Danielle Emery
Continuing Projects:

2008

President’s Award recipient: Anita Duenas
Sustainer Community Service Award recipient: JLFM Past President Sandra Raak
Women & Children’s Award recipient: Carolyn Gora
Team of the Year Award recipients: Jennifer Wormser & Sharon Klump, Helping Hands co-chairs
Continuing Projects:

2007

President’s Award recipient: Sarah Stansbury
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: JLFM Past President Myra Walters
Continuing Projects:

2006

President’s Award recipient: Anne Hansen, 2005-2007 Membership Development Chair
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: JLFM Past President Annette Morroni
Continuing Projects:

2005

President’s Award recipient: Mary Vlasak Snell
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: JLFM Past President Sandy StilwellNew Projects: Disaster Response Team
Continuing Projects: Helping Hands, The Langford Kingston Renovation Project, The Langford Kingston Future Use Planning Project, and Women Instilling Self-Worth in female juveniles through Hope & encouragement (WISH)

2004

President’s Award recipients: Caryn Clark, Jill Palmer & Mikie Stroh
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: JLFM Past President Linda Uhler
New projects voted in – Imaginarium and Heights Foundations Bureau

2003

President’s Award recipients: Sustainer Advisors Pam Dorchak and Lucy Mastej
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: JLFM Past President Mary Kay Sidell
Sustainer Emeritus Recognition: Eleanor Foltz and Julia Clapp MeredithProvisional Class: enlisted local artist Charlene Ewen to help with a 100 foot mural wall at the Lee Cancer Center.
Jan Anderson with Lee Cancer Care presented the League with a plaque for HH contribution to the Listening Library that we established at Lee Memorial Hospital.
New JL logo and tagline adopted.
New project voted in – Helping Hands

2002

President’s Award recipients:  Membership Recruitment Committee: Jeannie Stephan, Angela Brant & Terry Wallace and Helping Hands Chair, Kim Hunt
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: Libby Johnson
AJLI PR/Marketing Campaign implemented
JLFM adopted new AJLI logo and tagline
Recognition plaque from the Red Cross
Appreciation plaque from Leadership Lee County
New project voted in – Speakers Bureau
TOT store set up to sell cookbooks at Taste
Creation of TOT Event magazine
Books-A-Million Mother’s Day Event
Barnes & Noble Taste Exhibition of Tropical Settings
Added Sustainer Leadership Committee
First Annual Sustainer Fall Tea
First Annual Sustainer Spring Luncheon
FRP training for Cookbook committee in Nashville
FRP Trade Show in Atlanta – sold Tropical Settings

2001

President’s Award recipients:  Maggie King, Roxane Morgan, Melanie Simmons
Sustainer Impact Award recipient:  Linda Southern
Active/Provisional dues:  Voted in a $20 dues increase to $120
Sustainer Dues: Voted in $10 due increase to $70
Beth Ramsay was recognized by the Eckerd Corporation in their fourth annual Salute to Women Program for her outstanding community volunteer efforts.
New JLFM Logo, courtesy of Spiro & Waites Advertising
New JLFM website launched
Tropical Settings named the Official Cookbook of  Lee Island Coast
Streamlining of our accounting system
Patriotic Porch Party in Paradise for Provisionals, hosted by our Sustainers Worth Clothing Sale by Sustainers
A Birthday Party for Mary Harriman and the unveiling of Mary’s portrait
Reduction and streamlining of League leadership structure
New  project voted in – Girls Making It On Purpose
Gulf Glances produced totally in-house

2000

President’s Award recipients: Shirley Snyder McLaren
Sustainer Impact Award recipient:  Mary Lee Mann
Sustainer Emeritus Recognition: Betty Hendry and Mary VernonJLFM featured in Sept. 2000 issue of Ultimate Lee Magazine
Lou Pontius received Clara Barton Humanitarian Award
Appreciation plaque from Harry Chapin Food Banks
Appreciation plaque from Calusa Nature Center
Gulfshore Delights recipe “Sunshine Carrots” included  in Best of Best Recipe Hall of Fame Quick and Easy Cookbook
Appreciation “key” plaque for the transition of the Women’s Resource Center to Partners In Self Sufficiency
Proclamation from City of Fort Myers, May 2001 “Junior League Month” for 35 years of Community Service
Proclamation from City of Fort Myers, April 22-28, 2001 “Volunteer Week”
Resolution from Lee County Board of County Commissioners March 20, 2001 for JLFM’s involvement in helping women become more self sufficient through unique programs such as the Women’s Resource Center

1999

President’s Award recipients: Kelly Chouinard
Sustainer Impact Award recipient: Lou PontiusGrand Opening – Women’s Resource Center
Appreciation plaque from the Lee County AIDS Task Force
“Eckerd 100” Awarded to our WRC’s Community V.P.
Barbara Snyder for exemplary volunteer service
Gulfshore Delights cookbook had a recipe “Lemon Pie with Blueberry Sauce” included in The Recipe Hall of Fame
Cookbook from Quail Ridge Press
Appreciation plaque from Quality Life Center

1998

President’s Award recipients: Catherine Doikos, Charlotte Edwards, Sharon McAllister, Lou Pontius, and Sandra Raak
Our Women’s Resource Center received a grant from SunTrust Bank of Southwest Florida
Our Women’s Resource Center received a grant from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation

1997

President’s Award recipients: Sharon McAllister
Girl Scout Crystal Heart Award Finalist – Helen Crumbie

1996

President’s Award recipients: Kathleen Berlick
Girl Scout Crystal Heart Award Finalist – Patti Elkin
J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award Finalist – Lou Pontius
J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award Certificate of Appreciation – Linda Uhler and the Junior League of Fort Myers
Community Service Recognition Award Nominee – Women and Children With Aids Project Toy Drive
AJLI’s Centennial Cookbook highlighted two JLFM members: Mary Lee Mann and Lou Pontius
AJLI’s Centennial Cookbook recognized JLFM Community Harvest Project
AJLI’s Centennial Cookbook featured three Gulfshore Delights recipes
Family Values Magazine “Volunteer of the Month” – Linda Proulx

1995

President’s Award (Woman of the Year) recipients: Sandy Greenberg
Award from Special Equestrians Horses & Handicapped, Inc.
Certificate of Appreciation from Ronald McDonald House

1994

President’s Award recipients: Deborah Azis
Recognition Award by the Nations Association for continued support
Member of the President’s Council at the University of South Florida
Certificate of Appreciation from the Ronald McDonald™ House
Waterford Crystal Star Award from Miss America, Heather Whitestone
Partnership Award for Civic Leadership by the Florida Center for Children & Youth

1993

President’s Award recipients: Patricia Elkin
Community Coordinating Council Award for Outstanding Community Project for Community Harvest
Recognition for support of Southwest Florida Center for Independent Living
Proclamation from City of Fort Myers on Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month
Recognition from Lee County Aids Task Force
Resolution from the Governor and the State of Florida Cabinet

1992

President’s Award recipients: Jody Hart
Honored as a Charter Member of Friends of Southwest Florida Addiction Services
The Nations Association recognized the Junior League’s continued support of their organization
Award from The Soup Kitchen Honoring the Junior League

1991

President’s Award recipients: Cathy Brooks
Plaque of Appreciation from Lee Memorial Hospital for Rehabil­itation Center van

1990

President’s Award recipients: Eloise Sarlo
Board of County Commissioners Resolution for participation in Cold Weather Shelter program
Grant from Florida Division of Cultural Affairs
Grant from Barbara B. Mann Hall

1989

President’s Award recipients: Lou Pontius
Recognition from Edison Community College for on-going contributions
Grant from Southwest Florida Community Foundation
Grant from Gannett Foundation
Community Coordinating Council award for Outstanding Community Project for Project: Play

1988

Recognition from Lee County School Board for Skills for Adolescents
Recognition from Edison Community College for on-going contributions
Heart of Gold finalist – Annette Morroni

1987

Recognition from P. A. Geraci Development Center
Dedication Recognition from the Gannet Foundation
Contribution and Recognition from Southeast Bank

1986

Cultural Category – (1st Place) Dance & Theater Productions in the Schools Education Category – (1st Place)
Nature Center’s Planetari­um Outstanding Service Award – Community Coordinating Council

1985

Gulfshore Life Magazine Award for Outstanding Contribution of our Fine Arts Program to the quality of life in Southwest Florida
Adopt An Agency Award – Plaque of appreciation from Volun­tary Action Center in Lee County
Patron Status Recognition – Pewter plate from Edison Community College/University of South Florida Performing Arts Hall
Phi Delta Kappa Award – Outstanding Organization in Education
Celebration of Women, Liz Kagan – Up & Coming Woman

1984

Celebrated Woman in the Arts – Connie Whiteside
Plaque of Appreciation for Valuable Service – Mental Health Association

1983

Lee County Woman of the Year in Volunteers – Susan Harrison

1982

Outstanding Fundraising Project runner-up – Art Auction

1981

Outstanding Community Service Project Award runner-up
(A solo Production, Juried Art Show, Nutcracker Suite Ballet)

1980

Outstanding Fundraising Project – French Picnic

1979

Outstanding Community Service Project Award for Renovation of Iona House
Lee County Woman of the Year – Mary Lee Mann

1975

Board of Patrons – Edison Community College

1973

Founding Member – Junior Museum and Planetarium
Lee County Woman of the Year – Mary Robinson

1971

Award for Distinguished Service to Education
Lee County Woman of the Year – Sam Arnall